We Didn't Suspect Our Co-Worker Was Expecting

Betty uncovered the sales counter in the ladies' Department as Miss Brahms exited the lift and descended the stairs. Betty was in an usually jubilant mood

for a Wednesday morning. Mr. Harman had delivered a large pile of merchandise for the Ladies' Department that needed to be priced and stocked. Miss

Brahms signed in and strolled over to assist Betty.

"Good morning, Mrs. Peacock. You're in a splendid mood today. What's up?"

"We got a shipment in of lovely Directoire Knickers and whale bone corsets and support stockings."

"Oh, blimey! That doesn't sound like anything to get excited about! Anything else?"

Betty scooted closer to Miss Brahms so she could share her confidence out of earshot of Mr. Rumbold and the other men.

"Wellll…there is something, Miss Brahms, but you must swear you won't repeat it, at least not for a little while," Betty confided.

Miss Brahms smiled and listened intently as Betty whispered clandestinely, "I'm going to have a baby, Miss Brahms!"

Betty blushed.

"You're pregnant?" Miss Brahms shrieked excitedly. She didn't mean to be so loud, she just could not contain her surprise.

"Yes, Miss Brahms," Betty replied wryly, "It was supposed to be a secret!" Betty snorted.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Peacock. I didn't mean to yell that out."

Mr. Humphries rushed over, "Did I hear right, Love? You've got a bun in the oven?"

Betty pursed her lips and frowned, "Yes. I didn't want the whole store to know!"

"Oh, isn't it exciting?" Mr. Humphries said to Miss Brahms, "There's so much to do! We've got to plan. How far along are you, Dear?"

"About six weeks." Betty explained.

"Is Captain Peacock happy?" Miss Brahms asked cautiously.

"Oh, yes! I was so worried he'd be upset. You know how he always claimed to hate children. He's actually very excited."

Mr. Lucas joined them, "Aren't you and Captain Peacock a little…"

"Don't say a word, Mr. Lucas!" Mr. Humphries admonished, "Not a word!"

"Well, then again, Abraham and Sarah from the Bible were in their nineties!" he burst.

"Go away! You're impossible!" Miss Brahms scolded, waving her hand as if she were shooing a fly.

"Yes, but will I ever be feasible?" he joked and retreated to the Gentlemen's counter.

"Pay no attention to him, Love," Mr. Humphries soothed, "Congratulations to you and Captain Peacock both!" Mr. Humphries leaned across the counter and

gently kissed he cheek as the starting bell rang, "A baby! A baby!" he repeated over and over as he walked back to his counter.

"I really am sorry, Mrs. Peacock."

"Don't worry, Miss Brahms, it would be obvious eventually. Now, let's get to work before Rumbold comes over here pokin' about!"

"Mrs. Slo- sorry, Mrs. Peacock, am I to understand that you are expecting?" asked Mr. Rumbold.

"Yes!" she said happily.

"How is Captain Peacock taking it?" he asked dryly.

Betty bristled, "He is very happy, as am I. Pompous twit!" The smile disappeared from her face.

Mr. Rumbold strode to the center of the sales floor with a smug grin on his face.

"Ooohhh…he makes me so angry, Miss Brahms," Betty growled.

"Take no notice of 'im! 'E's just bitter," Miss Brahms sneered at Mr. Rumbold.

Betty tore open a box, removed a stack of large, cumbersome bloomers, and began filling out the price tickets. Miss Brahms inventoried the corsets and

handed them to Betty to put price tags on.